Last week, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Members of Congressional Western Caucus from Arizona held a hearing entitled “Washington Barriers to Prosperity and Property Rights in the Arizona” at the Arizona State Capitol.

Caucus Members and witnesses, including Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, examined the Obama Administration’s environmental and natural resource policies and their negative impact on jobs, economic growth and private property rights in Arizona. 

Members of the Western Caucus who participated in the hearing released the following statements:

“Whether it is through land grabs, proposed regulations, moratoriums on oil and gas production, or killing projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline, it is clear that this Administration either does not understand the potential of the West or just doesn’t care.  Today,  we heard from folks across Arizona who are fed up and frustrated by a federal government that is far too often an obstacle to realizing the American dream.  Arizona, New Mexico and the rest of our country deserve better.”

-          U.S. Representative Steve Pearce (NM-02), Congressional Western Caucus Chairman

“I am proud to lead the fight to restore common sense to our federal land management policies and put the residents of Arizona back to work.  The Federal Government has caused endless bureaucratic delays, litigation and restrictions that lock-up the vast economic development and recreational opportunities Arizona’s public lands can provide, stifling economic growth  and threatening the ability of the affected communities to provide basic services to their residents. Arizona is ready to lead the way in our nation’s economic recovery and energy independence. I encourage the President Obama to rein in his bureaucrats and get the government out of the way.”

-          U.S. Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-01)

"I want to thank Governor Brewer and the other panelists who testified at our Congressional Western Caucus field hearing. Governor Brewer and the other participants did a great job shining a light on the Obama policies that have so harmed the economy and, subsequently, job creation in Arizona. Too many Arizona job creators are being burdened by federal regulations that hinder economic growth. These unnecessary regulations are particularly damaging for small business owners. In the midst of a prolonged recession, it amazes me that this Administration continues to relentlessly propose federal regulations that are redundant, harmful to small businesses, and that impede private sector investment and job creation."

-          U.S. Representative Trent Franks (AZ-02)

“The American West, and Arizona in particular, has been hit hard by federal environmental and land regulations.  The Congressional Western Caucus hearing provided a great opportunity to discuss the impact these regulations are having on our economy and way of life.  We need to restore a proper balance between protecting the west’s natural beauty and our economic and energy needs.”

-          U.S. Representative Ben Quayle (AZ-03)

"Arizona has unique issues facing our state that many in Washington don't always understand. Our water and land issues in the West are of key importance to our constituency, and I am glad that Governor Brewer and my colleagues in the Western caucus were able to meet to discuss some solutions to government overreach in the West."

-          U.S. Representative Davis Schweikert (AZ-05)

Witnesses Included (Testimony Attached):

Honorable Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona

Glenn Hamer, President of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce

Kevin Rogers, President of the Arizona Farm Bureau

Buster Johnson, Chairman of Mohave County Board of Supervisors

Bob Lynch, Counsel for the Irrigation & Electrical Districts Association of Arizona

Press Highlights from the Hearing:

Federal red tape hurting Arizona, Brewer tells group – Arizona Republic – 03/16/2012

Brewer says US policies holding back Arizona – Associated Press – 03-16/2012

Brewer to address state lawmakers on property rights - KVOA (NBC) Tucson News – 03/16/2012

Federal Lawmakers to Hold Hearing at Ariz. Capitol - Fox Phoenix – 03/16/2012

Gov. Brewer says US policies holding back Arizona – Coshocton Tribune – 03/16/2012

Federal lawmakers to hold hearing at Arizona Capitol – Arizona Daily Star – 03/16/2012

Gov. Brewer To Have Ears Of Most Of Arizona’s U.S. House Delegation On Obama’s "War On Arizona’s Jobs" – Tucson Citizen – 03/15/2012

Brewer, Republican congressmen to attend hearing – AZ Capitol Times – 03/15/2012

Fed-state issues at Congressional Western Caucus hearing – Arizona Geology – 03/17/2012